MONTPELIER — Two Vermont Senate committees want to hear from the public about a bill that would change the procedures for requiring some mental patients to take psychiatric medications against their will.

Lawmakers have heard from hospitals and mental health officials that the state needs to speed up its legal process for involuntary medication and treatment.

Among other changes the bill proposes is substituting a mandatory hearing for a voluntary hearing to determine if the person is in need of treatment. It also would create an expedited application for such treatment.

A public hearing will be held Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. in Room 11 of the Statehouse in Montpelier.